South Africa's Unemployment Rate Rises to 33.6 Percent

South Africa’s unemployment rate climbed to 33.6 per cent in the second quarter of 2026, up from 32.7 per cent in the first quarter, according to data released by Statistics South Africa on Tuesday.

The statistics agency reported that the number of unemployed individuals rose to 8.481 million between April and June, increasing from 8.137 million in the previous three months.

The expanded definition of unemployment, which includes discouraged job seekers, also edged up to 43.8 per cent.

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Job losses hit most parts of the economy, with employment dropping across seven of the 10 sectors that Statistics South Africa tracks.

The community and social services sector shed the most positions, followed by mining, agriculture, and manufacturing, though trade, construction, and finance recorded modest job gains.

South Africa's unemployment rate rises to 33.6 per cent (News Central TV) — South Africa’s unemployment rate rises to 33.6 per cent. Credit: Reuters

The latest figures show that South Africa’s official unemployment rate has remained above 30 per cent for over five years, continuing to hit young people and Black women the hardest as the coalition government struggles to generate employment.

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Abisoye Adeyiga

Abisoye Adedoyin Adeyiga holds a PhD in Languages and Media Studies and a Master’s in Education (English Language). Trained in digital marketing and investigative journalism, she is passionate about new media’s transformative power. She enjoys reading, traveling, and meaningful conversations.